Respiratory Therapist II PRN
Children's National Hospital
Summary
As a Respiratory Therapist at RSC, you will play a vital role in supporting children with a wide range of respiratory conditions and care needs. In this role, you will provide comprehensive respiratory care, including airway management (suctioning and tracheostomy care), administration of inhaled medications, bronchopulmonary hygiene, and management of mechanical ventilation. You will also serve as a key educator, guiding patients and their families on respiratory conditions, disease management, and the safe and effective use of medications and equipment—both during their stay and as they prepare for a successful transition home. In addition to providing care on our transitional nursing unit, you will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support the safe transport of mechanically ventilated patients within and outside the organization as needed.
Job description
What You'll Do
As a Respiratory Therapist at RSC, you will play a vital role in supporting children with a wide range of respiratory conditions and care needs. In this role, you will provide comprehensive respiratory care, including airway management (suctioning and tracheostomy care), administration of inhaled medications, bronchopulmonary hygiene, and management of mechanical ventilation. You will also serve as a key educator, guiding patients and their families on respiratory conditions, disease management, and the safe and effective use of medications and equipment—both during their stay and as they prepare for a successful transition home. In addition to providing care on our transitional nursing unit, you will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support the safe transport of mechanically ventilated patients within and outside the organization as needed.
Functional Accountabilities
- Operate various types of mechanical ventilators, airway management (suctioning and tracheostomy trach care and change) and administering medical gas therapy as needed.
- Administers respiratory therapy inhaled medications, bronchopulmonary hygiene/drainage; assisting with breathing exercises; monitoring physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, adverse reactions and capillary/arterial blood gases.
- Evaluate the effects to respiratory therapy treatments by observing, noting, and evaluating patient's progress; recommending adjustments and modifications.
- Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises and the use of medications and respiratory equipment
- Transports mechanically ventilated patients internally within the organization and externally outside the organization.
- Maintains professional and technical knowledge by attending continuing education workshops; Documents patient care services received in MedHost the Electronic Medical Record.
- Inspect, clean, test and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently.
Requirements
- Graduate of a Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) approved program for respiratory care.
- Six months post-graduate experience in all aspects of respiratory care, including critical care background.
- Must meet DC licensure requirements.
- Registered (R.R.T.) by the NBRC.
- BLS certification.
- PALS certification.
- Demonstration of proficient skills for ventilator management.
- Clinical evaluation skills.
- Strong communication skills.
- Good time management skills.
- Ability to handle stressful situation.
Benefits
- Comprehensive health coverage
- Medical, prescription, infertility, transgender services
- Paid time off
- Vacation accrual from day one
- Sick leave
- Holidays
- Personal day
- 401(k) plan
- Healthcare spending accounts
- Dependent care spending accounts
- Employer-paid life insurance
- AD&D insurance
- Long-term disability coverage
- Tuition assistance
- Fitness resources
- Employee assistance
- Commuter benefits
Company overview
Children's National Hospital is a premier pediatric healthcare institution located in Washington, D.C., recognized as one of the top children's hospitals in the United States. Founded in 1870, it serves as the region's primary pediatric academic medical center, providing comprehensive care across all pediatric specialties. The hospital operates a 323-bed facility and offers advanced medical services including neonatal intensive care, pediatric surgery, oncology, cardiology, and neurology. As an academic medical center affiliated with the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Children's National is deeply involved in pediatric research, medical education, and clinical innovation. The institution is particularly renowned for its Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and its leadership in pediatric genomics and precision medicine. Children's National consistently ranks among the top pediatric hospitals nationally, with specialties in cancer, cardiology, neurology, and neonatology receiving particular recognition for excellence in patient care and outcomes.